It is always tricky to make a start for my annual poem,
With anything, one small step helps to get me go’in…
There is magic in momentum to begin adventures,
Hold on to your horses, hats, and your dentures!

The year of 2019 did not get off to the best of starts –
Three broken ribs, a concussion, and a bike in too many parts…
Why not throw in lots of leg crap and a pair of crutches?
Any item on the ground was waaayy out of my touches…

Stubbornness did kick in and medals were picked up,
While doing my job at some para cycling world cups;
For over six years my races have been fuelled by Janssen and his team,
I light up, delight, and savour his freshly brewed cups of caffeine.

History was made at the UCI World Championships in the UK,
Where an international event for para cyclists saw inclusion make headway.
We got to race with massive crowds, cameras, motorbikes and cheers,
The win in the home straight was so special it bought a few tears!

An honour it was be awarded Female Athlete of the Year,
Thanks DSR for recognising bits of a crazy sport career!
A big legs up and thanks also to my work – the VICSES;
The flexibility and support make me feel truly blessed.

Community engagement, resilience, programs and campaigns,
Supported by frameworks, evidence, measurement and brains.
We are looking to make a difference and create big change;
So that community preparedness is the norm and not so strange.

Safer communities – together – is what we are all about,
Working as one in emergency management is what we shout.
A partnership that is breaking down walls and setting a high bar;
Red Cross and VICSES, kudos, the good we are doing has come so far.

My grandma turned 100 this year and we celebrated in style,
With a big cake, candles, stories, good food, and lots of smiles.
Grandma is still going so strong, despite teeth and health scares,
She can still touch her toes and has not many grey hairs!

Remember to slow down and smell the roses,
It is the small things that matter, so use your noses!
Our friends and families are what matter most,
Give them hugs and hold them super close.

The greatest gifts you can give are love and hope,
They help build us up and can help us to cope;
In a world that can feel out of control, lost, painful and dark,
A world that can be illuminated by light – it only takes a spark.

Let’s create social change for the good,
By taking small steps that you knew you could.
Reaching out and helping others as they walk through their days,
You can make a difference in so many ways.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.